Here's what you need to know to vote in the May 3 primary election in Summit County

Abbey Marshall, Akron Beacon Journal
·3 min read
An Akron resident votes early at the Summit County Board of Elections on Wednesday.
An Akron resident votes early at the Summit County Board of Elections on Wednesday.

Summit County residents voting in the May 3 primary election will nominate candidates from their political party to run for various local, state and federal offices in the November midterm election.

You must opt to vote as either a Democrat or Republican in the primary election if you want to vote on candidates for office. Voters will select the candidate who will run against the opposing party in the general election for various statewide and local races, including candidates for governor, attorney general, secretary of state and more.

Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Where to vote

Early voting is already underway at the Summit County Board of Elections Early Voting Center, 500 Grant St., Akron. If you want to skip the lines on Election Day, you can vote early from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. The board of elections will offer weekend dates including Saturday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 1, from 1 to 5 p.m. and Monday, May 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To find your polling location on Election Day, enter your street address at https://lookup.boe.ohio.gov/vtrapp/summit/pollfinder.aspx or call the Summit County Board of Elections at 330-643-5200. You can also view a sample ballot on the site. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m to 7:30 p.m. May 3.

Proper identification is required to vote. A full list of acceptable forms of ID can be found at www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/.

What's on the ballot?

Congressional races, including U.S. Senate and House positions, will also on the ballot as well as Summit County Council at-large nominations.

Voter Guide: League of Women Voters candidate guide

If you vote as a non-partisan in this primary, you can opt for an issues-only ballot, but it will not include any candidates running for office.

Expect a second primary later this summer

Because of repeatedly rejected redistricting maps, state House and Senate races will not be on the May 3 ballot. Voters can expect to return to the polls later this summer for a second primary election to nominate candidates in those races.

Reporter Abbey Marshall is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms. Learn more at reportforamerica.org. Contact her at at amarshall1@gannett.com.

County candidates, local issues on May 3 ballot

Candidates for the three Summit County Council at-large posts will be seeking the Republican and Democratic nominations on the May 3 ballot. The top three vote-getters for their party's nomination will move to the November election, where voters will decide on three at-large representatives.

On the Republican primary (vote for no more than 3):

  • Devin Allman of Clinton

  • Shane Barker of Macedonia

  • Margaret E. Briem of Akron

  • Anthony DeVitis of Uniontown

  • Maria E. Williams of Fairlawn

On the Democratic primary (vote for no more than 3):

  • Erin Dickinson of Hudson

  • John A. Donofrio of Akron

  • Dakota James Rose of Akron

  • Elizabeth Walters of Akron

Local issues on the May 3 ballot include:

Issue 10: Macedonia – Proposed Charter Amendment – Shall the Charter of the City of Macedonia be amended to authorize public bodies of the municipality to hold virtual meetings when the public body determines, by the assent of at least two-thirds of its members, that a public health emergency or inclement weather emergency exists?

Issue 17: Northfield Center Township – Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) – An additional tax for the benefit of Northfield Center Township for the purpose of ensuring sufficient funds for the Township’s Fire & EMS operating and equipment expenses at a rate not exceeding 2 mills for a continuing period of time. The tax per $100,000 valuation of a home will be $70.

Issue 19: Sagamore Hills Township – Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) – An additional tax for the benefit of Sagamore Hills Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire services, including personnel expenses, equipment and buildings at a rate not exceeding 1.5 mills for a continuing period of time. The tax per $100,000 valuation of a home will be $53.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: How to vote in the May 3 primary election in Summit County